88 ANECDOTE OF A STAG. 



procured, and intermixed with the cow's hay; and yet this atten- 

 tion and trouble were attended with but indifferent success. 



When once, however, the period of infancy is passed, the 

 wild deer is hardy, vigorous, and easily provided for. At 

 different times, many have been located in the neighbouring 

 parks, and lived there to a great age. In the domain of a 

 nobleman in Roscommon, there are several brace and in the 

 park of Clogher, a stag and hind are confined at present ; 

 they are all vigorous and healthy, but have never continued 

 their species. 



Many curious anecdotes are recorded of the red deer. Some 

 years since, a hind was domesticated by a neighbouring 

 baronet; it was a fine and playful animal, and gave many 

 proofs of extraordinary sagacity. Like many fairer favourites, 

 she was a very troublesome one, and from her cunning and 

 activity, a sad torment to the gardener. No fences would 

 exclude her from the shrubberies, and if the garden gates were 

 for a moment insecure, the hind was sure to discover the 

 neglect, and avail herself of the opportunity to taste the 

 choicest vegetables. This beautiful but mischievous pet met 

 with some accidental injury, and died, to the great regret of 

 her proprietor. 



Many years ago, a stag was in the possession of a gentleman 

 of Tyrawley. He grew to be a powerful and splendid beast, 

 but his propensities and dispositions were very different to those 

 of the playful and innocent hind. 



The stag was bold and violent, detested strangers and 

 women, and from his enormous size and strength, was 

 frequently a very dangerous playfellow. He had a particular 

 fancy for horses, resided mostly in the stable, and when the 

 carriage was ordered to the door, if permitted, he would 

 accompany it. A curious anecdote is told of him. He had 

 no objection whatever to allow a gentleman to enter the 

 coach ; but to the fair sex he had an unconquerable aversion, 

 and with his consent no lady should be an inside passenger. 

 The servants were obliged to drive him away, before their 

 mistress could venture to appear ; and at last, he became so 

 troublesome and unsafe, as to render his banishment to an 

 adjoining deer-park the necessary punishment of his indocility. 

 He did not survive this disgrace long ; he pined away rapidly, 

 avoided the fallow deer, and died, as my informant declared, of 

 a broken heart. 



